Vanuatu Holiday

 

 Excited about going to Vanuatu, and getting warm.  I am so over this cold NZ winter.  Tighe’s luggage managed to jump off the luggage trailer leaving the hotel, so we had to turn around and pick it up.

 The urchins waiting for the grown ups, so they could get going.

Breakfast at the airport, and once through customs, walked for 8 minutes to Gate 15.  Saw Tighe’s luggage again, and Erik’s bike box, waiting to be loaded onto the plane.

 These insects in lollipops captured Quinn and Tighe imagination.

 Quinn would like to go here next.

  

Children were disappointed, as there were no TV screens in the seats, but they read instead.   

Short coffee and tall stirrer

A bit of turbulance delayed the food and drink.  27 degrees getting off the plane.  It was glorious. I didn’t have a permit to bring in the cheese, so it cost 3000 vatu fine.  Expensive cheese…

Our transfer to Mele Island (Hideaway Resort) wasn’t there, so we waited and people watched.  Our “bus” to Hideaway was perfect, a beaten up old van with no air con.  Managed to squeeze in Erik’s bike box, and Abbot (the driver) told us all about Mele Bay.  A quick van ride to Mele Bay, then a quick boat ride across.  Small butterflies greeted us on our walk to our little house.

Leaving Efate Island

 Tighe was keen to go exploring as soon as he got off the boat.  This tree had been swept onto the island during Cyclone Pam.

Mele Island, a tiny isle with schools of tropical fish, and corals of blue, purple, green and yellow.  The surrounding reef area is a marine reserve.

Broken coral between the toes and geckos on the ceiling.  Clean and basic accommodations.  Our bungalow (1a) is huge, and spacious. No air con, so perhaps in the summer it will be a little uncomfortable to sleep. Perfect for us, we didn’t even have the fan on at night.